Makiko Futaki

By Makenna Baker

Makiko Futaki was a guiding force in the animation business, precisely like Hayao Miyazaki. She worked on many of the greats, including most of Studio Ghibli's films and the dystopian sci-fi anime Akira. But not only is she a prodigious animator, she is also an accomplished artist.

The animator has brought forth many movies' true potentials with her skills in animation. Many movies wouldn't be the same if she had not worked on them. For that we should all be grateful.

What Futaki did for the Animation Community:

The main reason why I chose her was because she was a key animator on Akira, one of my all-time favorite anime movies. My dad had showed it to me one day and I fell in love with the unique concept and crazy animations. When I started to reserach her, though, I found that she worked on most of Studio Ghibli's films. That studio had made some of my other favorite animated movies so I immediately knew that I should do her for the project.

Why did I choose her?

Makiko Futaki was born on June 19th, 1958 in Japan. She was a prodigious animator with a talent for art, easily making herself known at the PAF (Private Animation Festival). But Futaki got a real start in the animation industry in 1979 on an episode of Lupin III. After that, she worked on Jarinko Chie, a Studio Ghibli project, and worked with them ever since. Her last film was when Marnie was There (2014). Sadly, she died on May 13th, 2016 of an unspecified illness.

The Life of Makiko Futaki:

Main Animes Futaki Worked On:

When Marnie was There (2014)

(Key) The Wind Rises (2013)

(Key) From Up on Poppy Hill (2011)

(Key) The Secret World of Arrietty (2010)

(Key) Howl’s Moving Castle (2004)

Spirited Away (2001)

My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999)

(Key) Princess Mononoke (1997)

(Key) Whispers of the Heart (1995)

Porco Rosso (1992)

Only Yesterday (1991)

(Key) Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)

(Key) Akira (1988)

My Neighbor Totoro (1988)

Castle in the Sky (1986)

Picture on the first page: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiwsvzahZTPAhWFRSYKHaOnBKwQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.buzzfeed.com%2Ftaskme%2F17-must-have-studio-ghibli-gifts-g02m&psig=AFQjCNEWu8z53wrOx6SVbb-EwGXqhF0uGQ&ust=1474119708553982

When Marnie was There Picture: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiJnefPhpTPAhVJOCYKHeCdCVEQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.notey.com%2Fblogs%2Fwhen-marnie-was-there&psig=AFQjCNEP_jQikk3nE5ZwAByGr-ATwu2YGw&ust=1474120946883861

Second Page: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiPqJK_gJ3PAhUJzoMKHe3JCJUQjRwIBw&url=%2Furl%3Fsa%3Di%26rct%3Dj%26q%3D%26esrc%3Ds%26source%3Dimages%26cd%3D%26cad%3Drja%26uact%3D8%26ved%3D0ahUKEwiPqJK_gJ3PAhUJzoMKHe3JCJUQjRwIBw%26url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwhitelys.tumblr.com%252F%26psig%3DAFQjCNGz1-Fg1ysJydq1NPoTCCy0VQFSLA%26ust%3D1474428544810510&psig=AFQjCNGz1-Fg1ysJydq1NPoTCCy0VQFSLA&ust=1474428544810510